Victorian TAFE sector losses worsen
The financial position of Victoria’s TAFE sector has significantly worsened, according to annual reports tabled in the state parliament last week.
The reports for 10 TAFE institutes show an expected operating deficit of $52.5 million for 2014, compared to an $8.9 million deficit in 2013.
The Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, said that when the $44.4 million write-down of the Student Management System is added, the net result is a $96.6 million deficit.
He said that the market share of TAFE had fallen to 25 per cent of the total training market.
Staff numbers at the 10 TAFEs fell by 132 over the year.
See the Premier’s media release.
See an article in The Age.
Official invitation to Mick Young Oration
As advised in last week’s newsletter, the official invitation to the 2015 Mick Young Oration is now available.
Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert will deliver the Oration on 21 May at Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence at Docklands, Melbourne, at 5.15 pm for 5.30 pm commencement. It will be followed by refreshments, concluding at 7.30 pm.
There is no charge for the event but registration is essential and places are strictly limited.
The annual event is held in memory of the former Labor minister, Mick Young, whose legacy includes the Mick Young Scholarships.
Please RSVP by 11 May 2015. The TDA National Scholarships Foundation looks forward to welcoming you to the event.
See the Invitation.
Four Corners to expose corruption in international student market
Claims of academic fraud, and corruption in the international student marketplace are set to feature on tonight’s ABC Four Corners.
The program, ‘Degrees of Deception’ will highlight what it describes as “alarming new evidence of a decline in academic standards at institutions around the country”.
Reporter Linton Besser has also uncovered evidence of corruption among the network of overseas agents who scout for business on behalf of higher education providers.
It is claimed that many international students don’t have the English language skills to undertake studies, and this is fuelling a thriving black market in plagiarism and the corruption of some academics.
TAFE NSW sees record numbers graduate with degrees
A record 89 students graduated with degrees from TAFE NSW last week.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director of TAFE NSW, Pam Christie said enrolments have grown from 23 students in 2011 to 1,094 in 2015 with nine degree programs available to potential students.
“TAFE courses have much smaller class sizes in the first year. Direct contact with lecturers is significantly higher at TAFE than at a university and there is a more structured and industry-specific environment in which to complete your studies,” Ms Christie said.
“Our retention rate is over 90% and this reflects the excellent student support that TAFE NSW offers. Most of our degree students are mature age and therefore are highly self-motivated people who enjoy the smaller class sizes,” she said.
The graduates, from colleges across regional and metropolitan NSW, gained qualifications including a Graduate Certificate in Leadership, a Bachelor of Design (Interior Design), a Bachelor of 3D Art and Animation, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth – 5), a Bachelor of Information Technology (Network Security) and an Associate Degree of Accounting.
Shandong delegation inspects South Australia’s leading institutes
South Australia has hosted a high level delegation from Shandong as part of a visit to the state’s TAFEs and universities.
The Chairman of the Shandong Province People’s Congress, as well as 12 representatives of Shandong universities and vocational education and training (VET) institutions and the Shandong Provincial Education Department toured university and TAFE campuses.
Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister Gail Gago said educators visited the new $120 million Flinders at Tonsley building, TAFE SA’s Tonsley and Regency campuses, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia.
Chinese students comprise almost 40 per cent of international students in the state.
See more.
Victoria leading education trade mission to Latin America
Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert will lead a delegation of 29 representatives from Victorian universities, TAFEs and private institutions on an education trade mission to Latin America.
The visit from April 20-30 will be one of the biggest of its kind and will engage with senior political leaders, industry executives and high-level education officials.
It will travel to Santiago, São Paulo, Curitiba, Bogota and Lima. The Minister will also travel separately to Brasilia for meetings with government officials.
The mission will promote Victoria’s expertise in water management, urban planning and education.
The senior delegation includes the vice-chancellor of La Trobe University, CEOs of Victorian TAFEs and experts in water management, urban planning and education.
Applications for TDA policy position close Friday
Applications for the position of Policy Analyst with TDA will close this Friday.
As previously advised, the preferred location for the position is in Sydney.
A candidate information package is available by contacting
Further information about the role can be obtained by contacting the Acting CEO, Malcolm White on (02) 9217 3180
Call for papers on creativity in educational research
What is meant by creativity in educational research?
This is one of the questions being asked as part of a planned journal article on ‘creative approaches to research in further, adult and higher education’, to be published September 2016.
A Journal of the Australian Association for Qualitative Research has issued a call for papers around creative methods and methodologies in educational research, focusing on further, adult and higher education.
See more.
Abstracts, proposals and any queries should be directed to the editors:
Diary Dates
Group Training Association of NSW & ACT
The future of work: Rethinking employment, training and skills in NSW and ACT
DATE: 7 May 2015
LOCATION: Amora Hotel, Sydney
DETAILS: More information.
Global Concepts Symposium
Centre for Excellence & LH Martin Institute
DATE: 27 May 2015
LOCATION: Perth, Western Australia
DETAILS: More information coming soon.
EduTECH
National Congress & Expo
DATE: 2 & 3 June 2015
LOCATION: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
NSW ITABS
Navigating the new world: New challenges = New Opportunities
DATE: 4 June 2015
LOCATION: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, Sydney
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Western Sydney Careers Expo
DATE: 18-21 June 2015
LOCATION: Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
NCVER
‘No Frills’ conference
DATE: 6-8 July 2015
LOCATION: University of Western Sydney
DETAILS: More information.
Victorian TAFE Association
2015 State Conference – Leading Transformational Change
DATE: 16-17 July 2015
LOCATION: RACV Club, Melbourne
DETAILS: More information coming soon.
VET Development Centre
Teaching and Learning Conference
DATE: 3-4 September 2015
LOCATION: RACV Torquay Resort, Victoria
DETAILS: More information.
National VET Conference
Velg Training
DATE: 17-18 September 2015
LOCATION: Adelaide Convention Centre
DETAILS: More information.
Australian International Education Conference 2015
International education: global, responsible, sustainable
DATE: 6 – 9 October 2015
LOCATION: Adelaide Convention Centre
DETAILS: More information.
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